QUẢNG BÌNH — Miss Grand International 2017 will be held from October 5 to 26 in a resort in Đồng Hới City instead of Thiên Đường (Paradise) Cave as planned before, according to Director of the Tourism Department of Quảng Bình province, Hồ An Phong.

One of the reasons for the change in venue is the unfavourable weather and limited number of seats allowed in the cave, but not due to concern about the impact on the cave, said Phong.

The department reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of Paradise Cave and Sunspa resort, concluding that although the cave is a unique location which will help to promote Quảng Bình’s cave tourism. Domestic and international exposure of the contest’s backdrop would help spread awareness of the cave and draw tourists, the organisers said.

However, the cave is about 70 kilometres from the centre of Đồng Hới City and a more than 500-step climb, inconveniencing contestants, some of the expected 600 participants, and organisers. Besides, heavy rain, flood and inundation are also likely at that time of years.

In the licence granted to Quảng Bình Province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made clear that it did not agree to holding the national costume contest inside the cave since it would have a negative impact on its ecosystem. —VNS

Discovered in 2005, Thiên Đường (Paradise) Cave is part of a limestone mountain at the altitude of 191 meters above sea level and is surrounded by a primeval forest in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. —VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Hà